The forests of the Congo Basin: Deforestation and food security

The general context of forest management and conservation in central Africa A young population and strong population growth Current population estimates: Population growth: 163 million inhabitants (20-30 2.5 – 3% millions) living in near proximity of the forests) per annum Fertility rate still high: Projection of total 45% of the population 6-7 children per population in 2050: is under 15 years ol. [...] Distribution of undernourished people in Africa (FAO, 2020) An increasingly land-demanding agriculture • Generalization of slash and burn • The increase in production is coupled with the increase in cultivated areas • Due to the increasing population density, the clearing-use-fallow cycle is considerably reduced. [...] • The fate of the Congo Basin forests must therefore be seen as a joint responsibility of the countries of Central Africa and the international community, Trends and evolution: food system as a driver of deforestation • The surface area of evergreen and semi-deciduous forests of Central Africa is estimated at about 200 million ha in January 2020 including 184.7 million ha with no visible sign of d. [...] • Without a slowdown in the present (last 10 years) disturbance rates, the Democratic Republic of the Congo would lose 22 percent of its moist forests by year 2050 • Deforestation in central Africa is more closely related to subsistence agriculture, small-scale charcoal production and gathering of wood for fuel. [...] • The expansion of farmland areas, a growing population and the expansion of urban infrastructure are key drivers of deforestation.